MALAY PROVERBS (Continued)

MALAY PROVERBS.

BY W. E. MAXWELL.

Continued from page 98.

61. Bi ludah naik ka langit^ timpa ka mnka sendiri jiiga,

To spit ill the air and get it back in one’s oavii face.

To speak evil of his own family or relations is an injury
which recoils upon the speaker himself. To wash one's dirty
linen in public.”

62. Dimana semiit inati kalaii tidak dalam gida

Where is it that ants die if not in sugar ?

Ruin is commonly the result when everything is aban¬
doned for the sake of pleasure.

The justness of the illustration will be apparent to every
one who has lived in the East. How to keep sugar free from
ants is one of the problems that puzzles every Anglo-Indian.

08. Beri janh orang angkat telunfik, kalau dekat dui ang-
kat mata.

From afar men point the finger at him; if he is close by
they make grimaces (lit, lift the eyes).

A man who has disgraced himself, and ^vho is an object of
contempt to his neighbours.

61. Biniinta kapada gang ada,

Berkaal pada Kramaf,

MerajnJc pa da gang kaath.

Ask from one who lias something to bcstoAV,

Make vows at a shrine.

Sulk with some one who is fond of you.

•MALAY PROVERBS.

137

There is a refined cynicism about this piece of wisdom,
hardly to be expected from Perak Malays, from whom never¬
theless I g’ot it. The third line which recommends a display
of temper being reserved for those who love us best is espe¬
cially admirable. The idea of the whole is apply where you
are most likely to succeed.”

65. Betak menanti pechah.

The cracked will break.

Ready to part company at any moment, and waiting only
for a decent excuse. Said of two companions, or of a chief
and adherent, one of whom wants to break with the other,
and only awaits an opportnnity.

66. Ringan tiilang^ hrat .

Light bones, full stomach.

The active man will always have enough to eat.

Ringan tulang signifies energy, activity.

67. Ringan sama menjinjing, hrat sama memihd.

Alike to carry (in the hand) light burdens : alike to shoul¬
der heav}^ loads.

To share together whatever befalls, whether good or evil
fortune. To stand or fall together. Used in allusion to the
treatment of children of one family, who ought to be treated
with impartiality by their parents. One should not have
all the light loads, and another all the heavy ones.

68. Riimah siiclah, imliat hevhunyi.

The sound of the chisel is heard after the house is com¬
pleted.

Means: the re-openings of a matter which ought to be
considered finally settled. To start an objection too late.

69. Seperti ayani pyatok anahiia.

As a hen pecks her chickens.

A rule to decide the degree of punishment allowable in Ma-

y nurseries. Maternal correction should not be too severe.
The hen does not kill her cliickens outright, but merely
gives an occasional peck to those wliich misbehave.

138

MALAY PROVEEBS.

70. Seperti In in didalam Jipat.

Like a ‘‘sarong"'' not yet nnfolclecl.

Bright and fresli in its even folds, with its clean, new
smell, attractive colours, etc. A simile applied to a young*
girl, a bride, etc.

71. Seperfi amhnn di hnjong rnmput.

Like the dew on a blade of grass.

When the sun is up the dew-drop falls from the leaf to
the ground {'knmhang pjanas gugor Irt hiimi): the Malays use
the illustration familiarly in speaking of that kind of love
which conies from the mouth, but not from the heart, and
which melts away on the appearance of adversity.

72. Seperti ponggoh merindu hulan,

“ As the owl sighs longingly to the moon.”

A figure often used by Malays in describing the longing of
a lover for his mistress. It recalls a line in Grra 3 ^’s Elegy:

The moping owl doth to the moon complain.”

73. Seperti kwang meldk dipuchtik punonp.

“ Like the argus-pheasant calling on the mountain-peak.”

Another poetical simile for a complaining lover. Here he
is compared to a lonely bird sounding its note far from all
companions.

74. Seperti api makciii sekam.

Smouldering* like burning chaff.

Hursing resentment, though shewing* no outward signs of
heat or passion.

Padd}^ chaff when burned does not blaze, but a large
heap, if ignited, will smoulder away slowlj’^ till the whole is
reduced to ashes.

75. Seperti kaduk kena ayer fahi.

Like the kaduk plant when manured.

The plant alluded to grows like a weed and requires no
cultivation. The meaning intended to be conve 3 ^edis exactl 3 *‘
that of the English proverb. “ Ill weeds grow apace.”

:\IALAY PEOVERBS.

189

76. Sejjcrti talam diia muka.

Like a tray wliicli lias two faces.

A simile applied to a false friend.

77. Seperti tiiUs diatas ayer.

Like writing on water.

An act hj wliicli no impression is made.

78. Seperti km kena helachan.

Like a nioiike}' smeared mtli helachan,

BelacJian is a favourite condiment among Malays, of wliicli
it is enougli to say that shrimps and small lish dried in the sun
and pounded in a mortar are the principal ingredient. Mon¬
keys have a peculiar horror of its very strong smell. The
Malay phrase here given is applied to any wild or extravagant
conduct, which seems as absurd as the antics of a monkey
franticall}' endeavouring to get the helachan otf his paws.

79. Scpertihurony gayak pndang ka hemui.

As the crow returns to his country.

To go back as one came, no richer no poorer. When the
crows imigrate, as the Malays say they do. they fly back as
they came {itain pevgl Itam halik), taking nothing from the
country where they have sojourned so long.

80. Scpcrtl anjing hap ala humk.

Like a dog with a sore head.

A contemptuous expression applied to an outcast without
friends, shelter, food or money.

81. Sepertl gergajt diia vnaia.

Like a saw with a double edge.

Which cuts both ways (tarik inakan sorung makan,) as it is
drawn up or down. See Xo. 76.

Scj)erit yi( kuja-kjya,

uike the shark y>t tlie kind called khja-knpt.

A person with a character for sponging sliamelesslv on
his neighbours.

140

MALAY PEOVERBSs.

88. Seperti ular hena jjahi.

Like a snake wliicli lias received a blow.

Used in speaking of a lazy, dilatory person. The Malays
compare the sIoav, listless motions of a man ^vho unwillingly
gets up to perform some duty on which he is sent, to the
contortions of a wounded snake. The verb menggliat signifies
to writhe as a wounded reptile, or to turn and twist as a
man yawning and stretching.

The Perak Aversion of the proverb is ^Nggliong hagei ular
di

^Nggliong~meuggliong=meuggliat,

84. Seperti tab nan di dalam tnliiL

Like a swarm of bees.

The mumbling or muttering of a person avIio speaks in¬
coherently is here compared Avitli the buzzing of bees in a
cluster.

85. SUqxi maJcau cliahie iijalah berasa pedas.

He who eats chilies Avill burn his mouth.

Everyone must be ready to bear the consequences of his
own act.

8(). Sebab midut badan binasa.

It is by the mouth that the body is ruined.

A single Avord at a critical time may make or mar a man's
fortune.

Sapatah chahap terhutang, m patali chakap yne-lepaa-kan
li utang,

87. Sudah liidah lain dijilat.

Licked up after haAuiig been ejected from the mouth.

Said of a donor, who repents of his generosity and asks for
his gift back again; or of a Mohamedan husband Avho after
drforcing his Avife Avould like to take her back.

PROVERBS.

141

88. Sepevti peniajap berpaling lianclah

Like a boat starting down-stream and turning (as it leaves
the bank.)

A Malay beauty dressed and decked out on the occasion of
a festival is compared to a boat equipped for a voyage, at the
moment when she heads round to the current.

89. Seperti isi dengan kuku.

Like the quick and the nail.

A figure to express the closest degree of friendship. As
inseparable as the nail (of a man’s finger) and the flesh
underneath it.

90. Scdmanis-manis gula ada pcif^ir didalamnia^ dan sa"-
paliit paint mamh^i ada klatnia menjadi uhat.

However sweet sugar may be, there is always some sand in
it, and however bitter the mamhu maj^ be, its astringent
qualities are useful in medicine.

Nothing is altogether good or bad. The leaves of the
mamhu are a native remedy in cases of sniall-pox. A bunch
of them is tied over the door of the house where the sick
person lies. ^Vhen the disease is in its last stage, the leaves
are bruised on a stone with rice, and the paste so procured is
applied to the surface of the skin to allay irritation.

91. Seperti helut pulang ka lumpur.

Like the eel which goes back to the mud.

The return of a person to his own country or house after
having been abroad to seek his fortune. The next proverb
has a similar meaning.

92. Seperti ikan pidang ka luhok.

Like the fish which returns to the pool.

93. Seperti tetegok di rumah tinggah

Like the night-jar at a deserted house.

The tegok or tetegok is a bird, common in the Malay Penin¬
sula, whose habits are nocturnal and solitary. It has a
peculiar, liquid, monotonous call. The phrase is used to
signify the solitude and loneliness of a stranger [orang dagang)
in a Malay kampong.

142

MALAY PROVERBS,

94. Semnt di pi]ah ta^mati, (jajah harung herkalapa/iigan.

Without killing the ants on which he treads, the elephant
passes by making a wide passage through the jungle.

Said of a'person who is particular in his conduct regarding
certain observances, ignoring the fact that his open breach
of others is patent to everyone.

95. Seperti anah ayam hahilangan ihitnia,

^‘Like a chicken which has lost its mother.”

Description of a state of meiitnl confusion and anxiety.

96. Seclap dalmlu sahit he^ndian.

Pleasant at first but followed by pain.”

Indulgence in vicious pleasure results in grief and sorrow
in the end, a sugarcane is sweet,” say the Mala 3 "S, as
long* as the stem lasts, but when you get to the top (puchuk)
}"Ou will find it insipid! ”

97. Sepmii riisa kena tamhat.

Like a deer tethered to a post.

Stupid and helpless. A domestic animal under the same
circumstances would be quite at home, but the deer tied up
is out of its element.

98. Seperti anjing heruleh bangkei.

Like a dog which has found a dead animal.

Applied to persons who want to keep for themselves some¬
thing which has fallen in their way, and who grudge others a
share, (as dogs growl and snap at each other over a carcase.)

99 Seperti gajali masoh kampong.

Like an elephant's incursion into a village.

Eefers to the damage done to the crops and gardens of
villagers b}^ the arrival of a troop of persons, e. g. the fol¬
lowers of some raja on his travels. Everything eatable is
carried ofP, and the peasant compares the raid to the havoc
caused by wild elephants.

100. Seperti penyapu di ikat henang sutra.

Like a broom bound with silk thread.

MALAY PROVEEBS.

143

A contemptuous expression for a common person dressed
more finely than becomes liis position. Tlie broom is tlie
most base of all domestic utensils among Malays, and this
adds bitterness to tlie comparison.

101. Seiiertl lemnhut di tepi gantang.

Like the rice-dust (broken grains of rice) on the sides of
the measure.

Something of which the presence or absence is ecpially
inappreciable, masok pun hi penally terhit pun hClnah. The
fifth wheel to the coach.

102. Seperti saynr dengan rambut.

Like vegetables (compared) with hair.

The difference between an undertaking which promises
a reasonable prospect of support and one which does not.

103. Sayangkan kain h'uangkan hajn.

Out of concern for the Sarong^ to throw away the jacket.

A second line, which is sometimes added,

Sayangkan lain huangkan ahu.

(if you are fond of another, cast me off,) explains the
application,

The proverb refers to the dilemma in which a Malay hus¬
band is placed, when he proposes to take a second wife, and
finds that each lad}- wishes to be the sole object of his affec¬
tions.

104. Sapndoli jong masok pun anjing her-ehawaf ekor jnga.

Ten junks may come in, but the dogs still tuck their tails
between their legs.

Ruler may succeed ruler, or other important changes in
the government of a country inay take place, but the con¬
dition of the lower classes will remain the sam(\

This proverb is to be found in Klinlcert's collection and in
Favre’s dictionaiy, but the former gives no explanation and
that given by Favre is hardly saiisfaciory. It is best exem¬
plified by another Malay saying, Siapa jadi raja pun tan-
gan aim ha d(^i]ii jugad^

144 MALAY PROVERBS.

Whoever may be raja my hand goes uj) to my frehead
all the same (in allusion to the mode of saluting),’^

The arrival of ten junks evenf^ here used metaphorically
for any important or astonishing event, is rather a charac¬
teristic figure ; in Malay villages on the coasts of the Penin¬
sula there are tew events in the quiet lives of the people
so important as the arrival of the periodical trading boats.

105. Sudah fer-Jalu hilir malam apa handak dikatakan
figi.

{The prahu} has gone too far down-stream in the night;
what more is to be said ?

To have overshot the mark or to have done more than was
intended and to repent when too late.

In travelling in boats on the rapid rivers of the Peninsula,
if the polers, on the way upstream, go past their destination
in the darkness, it matters very little, because the boat can
come down again with the stream; but it is otherwise if the
mistake is made when descending a river, and to go back
involves a laborious journey against the current.

106. Sesat di Jmjung j at an haJik kapanffkaljalan.

If you miss your way go back to the beginning of the road.

If a thing is not likely to succeed it is best to commence
de novo,

107. Sir ill naik junjong patah.

As the sirih vine is growing up the prop breaks.

Said of the ruin or misfortune which befalls a family,
when its support is suddenly removed by death or otherwise.

108. Seperti janda hidum herlaki,

Lilve a Avidow Avho has not been married.

109. Seperti gad is sudah herla ki.

Like a maiden who has been married.

Compare the folloAving lines from a Malay poem, of Avhich
it is enough to explain that earrings suhang are among the
Malays the token of Aurginity;—

Sunggnh hersuhang tidak herdarah

Bagei mnmhang di telmk tupei,

MALAY PROVEKLS.

145

110. SiidaJi ter-kacliak-kan henang arang hitamlah tajjak.

After having* trodden on a charcoal line^ the soles of the
feet are of course black.

Said of a person who Avilfull}' breaks a well known regu¬
lation and whose guilt is therefore clear.

The charcoal thread mentioned is the black line used by
cai'penters in marking timber for sawing.

111. Sescik her-itndor-undor lari ta'malu mengliamhat ta-
liigu.

To retreat Avhen hard-pressed, not ashamed to tly and not
satisfied when pursuing.

A maxim illustrating Malay tactics in war or piracy.
Malay warfare is general!}" a series of desultory attacks and
retreats. Confronted by a superior force the attacking party
does not disdain a retrogade movement, and when it is his
turn to pursue he does not follow up his advantage.

112. Sejmrti hamhang putus tail.

Like a cockchafer whose string has broken.

Said of a person who has recovered his freedom.

Kumhang is the carpenter-bee, which Malay children spin,
by means of a tread (tied to one of the insect's legs), to
amuse themselves with the buzzing sound which it makes.

llo. Seperti hujuk lepas deri hidni.

Like a fish (of the kind called Bujuk) which has escaped
from the trap.

This proverb has much the same meaning as the last.

Biiju/}, is a fresh water fish found in muddy places. Biiha,
is a fish-trap made of split bamboo tied with rattan. It
has a circular opening which iiarroAvs as the end of the pas¬
sage is reached, and is constructed on the same principle as
the eel-pot or lobster-pot. One of the highest mountains
in Perak is called Bidm. It is supposed to be the hsh-tra])
of a mythological personage named Sang Kniemhau and the
rocks in the bed of the Perak river at Pachat are pointed out
as his 6a war. (stakes which are put down to obstruct a stream
and thus to force the fish to take the opening which leads
to the trap.)

146

MALAY PEGVERBS*

114. Seperti ay am kivwis pagi malian pKtgi kwwis petang
makan petang.

Like a lieii, wlia-t it scratclies up in the iiioriiiiig it eats
in the morning, and what it scratches np in the evening it
eats in the evening.

A Malay peasant will nse this phrase in speaking of his oavii
means of livelihood, if he wants to explain that he makes
jnst eiiongh by his daily labour to support himself from day
to day.

“ To live from hand to mouth.”

115. Fagar makan pacli, tehmjuk merumk mata.

The fence eats the corn, the forefinger pierces the eye.

Klinkert’s version gives menynclmk^^ instead of meriisuk
but this latter word is in nse in Perak and seems to mean
the same as slgu (to poke with the huger,) and to be less
strong than meruvjang vdiich means 'Ao thrust upwards,”
as with a spear.

The saying is sometimes quoted in a rhythinical form,

Takar minyak sapi
Dl buboh dibaivah geta
Fa gar makan pad I
Telmijnk merusnk mata.

A measure of gld put underneath tlie sleeping platform;
the fence devours the rice; the huger thrusts at the eye.

The meaning is, to suffer injury at the hands of a person
from whom piotection was naturally to be expected. If the
measure of glii disappears, the owner of the house must
Ijlaine the members of his own family, whose conduct in
taking it is as unnatural as that of the hedge in the proverb,
which eats up what it was put to protect, or of a man's huger,
which injures instead of guarding his eye. Payre quotes
Hang Tnak as the work from which he took this proverb.

116. Felabor hab d Falembanfj ta\daJi .

The supplies were exhausted but Paleiubung dio not fall.

This refers to an ancient siege of the town of Pa.lembang
iii Sumatra by the Dutch. Accord;aig to Malay tradition

MALAY PROVERBS.

147

the troops of the Hollanders raised the siege after great
expense had been incurred in the expedition. The failure
of this particular enterprise has ever since been quoted in
the above form to signify failures in general.

117. Pelakat a^i cliatas humlnng.

To light a fire on the roof.

To destroy a thing on purpose, pretending all the time to
be of use.

It is a common thing to light a fire on the ground in front
of a Malay house to keep away mosquitoes. The proverb
supposes the case of a man professing to light such a fire, but
really setting fire to the house.

118. Peti yoAig herisi mas perak itu tiada di-UUh-kan
orang.

People do not pour out the contents of the box in which
they keep their gold and silver.

Men do not give away their best for nothing, whether,
literally, their most valuable possessions, or figuratively,
their wisdom, experience, discoveries, etc.

119. Piitiis henang dapat di uhong^

Patah avcmg sudah sakali.

The thread severed may be joined again;

If a piece of charcoal be broken, it is all over.

Near relations or intimate friends do not quarrel irrecon-
cileably, but between strangers or mere acquaintances a col¬
lision may end fatally.

120. Pipit tuli makan her ImjaUy
Ta halaiL padi Jiahis
Handak halaii kain hasali.

The deaf pipit is feeding in the rain.

If it is not driven away the padi will all be finished.

To drive it away one must wet one’s clothes.

Said of a person in a dilemma; each course open to him
presents difficulties.

148

3rALAY PROVERBS.

There are two kinds of small birds which infest the

loculi fields when the grain is ripening. The pip if Udi will
not move when shonted at, tliongh it will ta1ve to flight if
an arm is waved or other gesticulations made. The other
kind pip if uloan^ or clieali so called from its white head,

is more easily frightened away.

121. Pepat cli hiccr rancliong didalcim*

Mat outside and sharp within.

Said of a person whose professions are fair but whose feel¬
ings are hostile.

122. Pachat Imndcth m.evjacli ulay\

The leech wants to become a snake.

Said in ridicule of unreasonable aspirations.

128. Piiclmk di chita %dam ahaii dcdang.

To be wishing for young shoots just as the fruit arrives.

To receive something much better than what one is wish¬
ing for or expecting. JJlam is the word applied by Malays
to the various kinds of fruit which they eat with
e. g. idam pideli macliang, ulam. vetai. idctmjering^ etc. When
no fruit is to be obtained, pucliuh, the young shoots of various
trees, are used instead.

124. Pada ng pmlm d i laid an ,

Pa da ng h cdi di Jikira n .

The field for a ship is the ocean,

The field of the heart is reflection.

125. Kalau telan mcdi mcdi kalcm Indcdi hapri rncdi^

“Swallow it and your mother dies reject it and your
father dies.”

An awkward alternative quoted proverbially in any case
where choice has to be made betvceen two courses each open
to objection. Another version is,

Handcik di telan termamjhalcrn, kandali di Indrdi tiada Irdiurr,

“ Would you swallow it, it sticks in your throat; would
you spit it out, it will not go forth.”

MALAY PKOVERBS.

149

126. Kachang lupakan liulit.

The bean forgets its pod.”

Iiigratitiide. The successful adventurer declines to re-
uieniber his humble origin.

127. Kechil-kechil’-lcth anahy Iccthxu siidaJi hesar nievjadi
iinak, ■

Wliile small, children ; grown big, thornsd^

Youth is the time for education; it is too late to com¬
mence tuition when the pupil is capable of resistance.

(It is impossible to reproduce in a translation the play on
the words anak and nnah,)

128. Kcdaii tiada kulit hercliereilah tiilang,

‘^If it were not for the sldii the bones would separate,”

If there were not some important functionary to teep a
Government or Society together it Avould fall to pieces; if
the father or mother dies the family is likely to be broken
up.

129. Kamana handak ])ergi lagang-layang itu tali ada di
tang an kit a,

^^How can the kite get away while the cord is in our
hands ? ”

The sense is, there is no fear of a debtor absconding when
his debt is secured by some substantial pledge or deposit in
the hands of the creditor. The kite without a string is a
very common figure among Malays when describing an un¬
certain condition. See Crawfurd, History Indian Archii^elao'o
Vol. II. p. 14.

100. Kechil tangan nyivii saliya tadahkan.

If my hands are too small I will hold out a tray.”

Expression of the willingness of a poor man to take all
that he can get from the rich or great.

101. KechiUhechil anak haritnaa.

Though small, a tiger-cub all the saine.^'

150

MALAY PROVERBS.

Even the young of a dangerous animal are not to be trifled
with. The Malay ryot must not imagine that he can take a
liberty with a raja’s son because he happens to be a child.

132. Kalaib sudah untong sa^cJtitjpah tiada biilih jadi sa"-
gantang.

If a cliupah is gained^ there is no chance of its becoming
a gantang,^^

Said of one who is just able to support himself, whose
daily earnings enable him to live but not to save. The
chupali and the gantang are measures corresponding roughly
with the quart and gallon.

133. Kenapukid di pantat gigi habis tanggal.

Struck on the back all its teeth drop out.’’

An expression used of a fruit-tree laden with fmit which
falls off when the stem is shaken ?

134. Kikir pari bebulang kring
Eendam tujuh hari ta basah.

skate-skill grater, a dry hide,

Soaked for seven days is not moistened.”

A phrase "used in speaking of any instance of excessive
avarice or parsimony; kikir means literally a file ” but also
signifies ‘^avarice.” The proverb illustrates the grasping,
hoarding qualities of a miser and the difficulty of getting
anything out of him.

135. Kilat didalam hilau^ guruh mengandong Imjan,

Lightning lurks within brightness, thunder is big with
rain,”

Some hidden purpose may be concealed under a man’s
ordinary conduct or demeanour, just as a dangerous flash may
be unsuspected amid the general brilliancy of a summer’s
daj", and the first growl of thunder gives notice of an ap¬
proaching storm though no rain has fallen.

13G, Kundiir tiada melata pergi^ labii tiada melata mari.

If the gourd-plant does not creep forward, the pumi)kiii-
yine will not creep to meet it.”

31 ALAY PEOVERBS.

151

Advances must be made by both sides if two parties
are to meet each other half-way. Mutual concessions are
likely to bring about an understanding.

137. Kandiir herletingdieting tegang bergala-jala.

‘^The loose vibrates with a twang, the tight hangs loose
like a fringe.”

Black is white and white is black.”)

An ironical expression, common in Perak, illustrative of
the habitual falsehood and untrustworthy character of the
Malays of that state. There is another saying of the same
kind, vdth. much the same meaning.

Ampat gasal lima genap,^^ “’Four is odd and five is
even.”

Ber-leting-leting” signifies to make a twanging sound
like that j)roduced by the vibration of a taut string. I have
not succeeded in finding the word in any dictionary.

138. Krus kring seperti hayang
Siapa pun tiada onenaroh sayang,

‘^Thin and dry as a shadow,

There is no one to care about him.”

A rhyme used by children making fun of a companion
who has the misfortune to be thin.

139. Kulai-halai hagei sendok di diihong.

Swinging about carelessly, like a ladle carried in a bun¬
dle.”

“ Said in ridicule of the gait affected by fast ” Malays,
male and female, a swaying movement of the body from the
hips while walking.

Knlai-halai like a common word haled halai (neglectful,
careless, Crawfnrd)^ is one of those untranslatable com^^ound
words the sound of which is intended to assist tlie meaning,
like the similar English word ^^liurly-burly,” or the Hindus¬
tani Avord idta-palta (topsy-turvy, higgledy-piggledy.)

Dakong, according to Marsden. means to carry on the back
or under the arm. CraAvfurd translates it ‘‘to carry on the
hip 3 ” FavrC; ‘‘on the back or hip.” In this proverb ch-

152

MALAY PROVEEBS.

duhong, no doubt, means “ carried in a bundle on the back.”
Malays moving from one place to another usually carry their
cooking utensils and a few days provisions on their backs.
The load is bundled up in a sarong or other cloth, one end
of which is brought over one shoulder, and the other end
under the other arm, both ends being tied together across the
chest. A native spoon for culinaiy purposes, (a wooden
handle lashed with rattan to a cocoanut shell), is an awk->
ward article to carry in such a bundle. It sticks out incon¬
veniently and sways about with the motion of the bearer.

140. Kalis hagei aijer di daiin kladi.

Rolling off, like water on a Caladium leaf.”

A simile used in speaking of one who will pay no attention
to advice. Good counsel has as little effect on him as water
on a kladi leaf, ‘■"runs off like water off a duck’s back.”

Klinkert (and Favre following him) gives kalis (peeled,
pared,) the secondary meaning to be ‘Gmwilling to listen to
remonstrance.” They do not seem to have known this
proverb, though it seems to explain satisfactorily the secon¬
dary meaning of the word.

141. Kamudi devi halmvan.

Steered from the bow.”

An exjwession used of a lionie in which the wife rules
and where the husband is henpecked.”

142. Kail sa^bmiioli itmpannia sa^ekor.

SaJiari j)idiis sa'^liari herhanyiit.

A single hook and one piece of bait.

Once broken off you may drift for a day.”

Don't run the risk of having your business stopped by
failing to provide the apparatus in sufficient quantity.

143. Kata tidak dipegargnia janji tidak ditepatnia.

He neither holds to his word nor carries out his pro¬
mises.”

A general description of an imtrusGvorthy person*

144* Kveja raja itih junjovg, kreja kita di kilik,

"^The raja's business is borne on the head, oitr own may
(at the same time) be carried under the arm.”

MALAX PROVERBS.

153

A common phrase in Malay States where the ryots are
liable to forced labour at the order of the raja. It means

while obeyino’ the royal commands let us also keep an eye
on our own affairs.”

145. Kasih-han anah tancjis-tancjis-lcan
Kasili-kan hini tinggal-tinggal-Jian.

To love one’s children one must weep for them some¬
times ; to love one’s wife one must leave her now and then.”

The second proposition in this sentence recalls the fact
that with the Malays^ who are Mohamedans, polygamy is
an institution.

146. Karam dilmd lidili ditimha 'karam dilicdi sudaJi sa¬
le all.

The boat which is swamped at sea may be baled out, but
a shi].)wreck of the affections is final.”

147. Kain sev lei iJemiinggang hah is.

One cloth round the waist is all.”

A figurative mode of expressing that a person is extremelj"
poor.

148. Kurhau sakaivan lain di Imndang, mamisia sa'^orang
Had a terkaival.

A whole herd of buffaloes may be shut up in a pen, but
tliere is one being who is not to be guarded.”

A woman, of course, is meant. I think that the Abbe
Pavre has missed the point in translating this proverb, of
v.diich he gives a slightly different version :—

Kalau hurhau salcmvan dapat di-kawal-han manusia sa’-
oraiig fiada dapat di-malum-lcan.

The French translation runs, ^‘it est plus facile de garder
line etahle pleine de hvff.es gue de rame^ier nn seid homnie
d la raison,^^ but I should prefer to render it. Though a
herd of baffaloes maj be guarded, a single human being
a woman) is not to be understood.”

(

149. Gig I devgan Jidah ada kala hergigit Jugcu
The teetlf sometimes bite the tongue.”

154

BIALAY PBOVEBBS.

The best of friends fall out sometimes,

150. GetiJc- Jean jmru di h ihir .

To be impatient with a sore on one’s lip.”

To hate one’s own child because it is deformed or ugly,

151. GerninUgerniut hagei leambing ler-ulat.

As thick as maggots in a (dead) goat.”

A simile to express the number and movement of a crowd
of persons e, g, an assemblage of persons in a Malay house,

Gerniut is not be to be found in the dictionaries, but I
believe it to signify the creeping motion of worms, etc.

152. Gaya saJija rasania WallaJi,

A project only; the result God knoweth.”

L’ homme propose mais Dieu dispose.”

Man 2 )roposes^ God disjposes ” is one of the proverbs men¬
tioned by Archbishop Trench (Proverbs and their lessons,
p. 63) as probably common to every nation in Europe. It
has probably found its way into Malay through the Aiabs.
Wallah means literally ^^By God” though I have translated
it as if Wallahu alam had been written.

153. Gelagah lorah ramhntan jantan,

Orang herhnnga dia herhunga,

Omng herhuah dia tidaie,

^^Like a barren tree; others flower, be too puts forth
flowers; others bear fruit, he does not.”

Said of a pretentious or ostentatious person, who wishes
to imitate every one who has or does anything that he
admires. He takes in hand many projects but none of them
reach completion. I have been unable to identify the plant
here called In Favre’s dictionary gelegah

is explained to mean “a kind of reed {saccharnm spontaneum).’^

154. Gajah lain de heli Icwasa tidaJe terheli.

He could buy the elephant, but not the goad.”

A taunt directed against a person who does not take any
trouble about minor details when the main thing is secured,
e. f/. who, having a large house, neglects to provide a carpet
or lamp.

JFALAY PROVERBS.

155

155. Luka itu mmhoh iKiridnia tinggal juga,

^•^The wound is healed, but the scar of it remains.’’

A fend may seem to be forgotten but the sense of injiiiy
remains and may take an active form at any time.

150. Lemhu tandok fanjang^ tiada mena^idok imn dikata
ovang jiiga iya menandok.

Cows have long horns and so, thongli they injure no one,
people say they are vicious.”

A man of a family, tribe or race which bears a bad charac¬
ter may be an excellent person, but he will be distrusted all
the same.

“ Give a dog a bad name and hang him.”

157. Lepas deripada mulot huaya^ masok ka mulof liari-
man.

^^To fall into the jaws of the tiger after escaping from the
mouth of the alligator.”

Out of the frying pan into the fire.”

158. Lagi fongkat lagi mijata.

“^Weapons to boot, besides staves.”

To have every advantage c. g, to be good and wise and
fortunate besides being rich.

159. Lampaii serei masok gidei tentu mauug.

^^If there is too much lemon-grass in the curry, it is cer¬
tain to be nasty.”

Said of an unsuitable match, e, g, the marriage of an old
man with a young girl. Here one element, age preponderates
in the transaction, and the result is not likely to be satis¬
factory.

160. Lagi lank lagi nasi.

^“^The more meat the more rice.”

The more rajas the greater the number of followers.

156 MALAY PLOVLPvBS.

Laulc, is anytliing substantial eaten with rice, such as meat,
fish, vegetables, whether curried o]’ not.

161. Lemjfjoh-lenfjgang hagei clmpali liangut.

Eocldns: to and fro, like a floatino: cocoanut shell.

A simile used of a woman of openly wanton conduct.

Tjencfgang is the Malay equivalent for swagger.'’ See
No. 139.

162. Lagi trang lagi hersitloh,

“Though it is.already light be carries a torch.'’

Said of an upright judge, or other virtuous person, whose
conduct will bear the closest scrutiny.

163. Langit runtoli Inimi cliayer.

“ If the sk)^ falls the earth melts.'’

The downfall of an important personage involves the
destruction of those immediately beneath and dependent on
him.

164. Lang imnggok lang her^ikan
Tidor siang herjaga malam,

“ The tail-less kite that preys on fish sleeps all day and is
astir at night.”

Said of a noted thief or other bad character.

Lang pitnggol' is probably some kind of owl, but I have not
identified the species.

165. 2LiIta herpandang hudi Juidapatan.

“To look on the face after having found out the cha¬
racter.”

Good manners do not permit Malays to betray open dis¬
trust of one another and, while the rules of courtesy are
observed, it is difficult to discover from a man’s demeanour
what his x^rofessions nia}" be worth. But “fore-warned is
fore-armed ” and a Malay, who meets in a bargain or in
any domestic negotiation some-one regarding whose un¬
friendly disx)osition he has received x)rivate infornmtion, goes
to the interview x^i’^x^ared “ to looh on the face ivitli a Icnou-
ledge of the characferd^

31ALAY PKOVEIvEtf.

157

1(36. 2Li)iijah dengan aijer adakali herchanqjttr?

“■ Will oil mix witli Avater” ?

Distiuctions in rank slionld be obseiA^ed and iiplield.

167. Mati-mati henniuifak hiar lechak.

If yon use oil let tbe hair be tlioronglily greased.’’

Do a thing thoroughly AAdiether it be a good or bad action.

Similar piwerbs are gi^^eii by Klinkert in his collection ;
21ati-mati mandi hiar hasaJi; mati-mati herdxurat hiarlah liitain.

The idea seems to be similar to that expressed by the
familiar saying ‘* One may as Avell be hanged for a sheep as
for a lamb." The Perak Malays say FaJa-gala aim
JiandaJi mati hiarlah aim mail her-kajxin chindeiF ‘‘ Suppos¬
ing that I must snlfer death let it, at all eA^ents, be for a silk
robe.” In other AAmds, let me hare the satisfaction of
attaining notoriety by liaAnng killed some important person¬
age and let me not be slain as a pnnishment for a vulgar or
coniinon offence.

168. JIalu herdayong ijraliu hanyut,

( He is) ashamed to roAv, (so) the boat drifts.”

The man Avho is ashamed to put his oavii hand to his Avork
Avill make nothing of it.

169. Mati seya]i liidiip ta'mahii,

^^Disinclined to die but get not Avilling to live."

Said of a person avLo is a burden on his family and is too
lazy to do anything for his oavii support.

^Sometimes the phrase is im^erted, Hiduj» segan mati
ta'mau; but the meaning is much the same.

170. Mahnhah orany merir/lnjanhan garamnya,

M ill a man put his salt out in the rain r*"

Mill a man publish his oavii dishonour, or put himself to
open shame and discredit by exposing the faults of his
UAvn household ?

158

3IALAY PROVERBS.

171. Matahari itu hulililcah clUutop dengan nyivuy
Can the sun he covered up with a winnoAviiig sieve

It is impossible to conceal what is patent to all. A great
crime will almost certainly be discovered.

Another version (given by Klinkert) li^^hangkei gajali,
the carcase of an elephant, instead of mata hart, the sun.

172. MeleiKiskan anjing tersepit.

^^To extricate a dog caught (in a hedge.)’’

To meet with an ill return for doing an act of kindness,
the chances bring, that the dog will bite its rescuer.

173. Merdjak aijer di niwang,

^^To be out of temper with water in the hold.*’ To sulk
and do nothing when the boat has sprung a leak.

The ryot cannot afford to shew temper with his chief, on
whom he depends for support. His means of livelihood
disappear if he does.

174. Mhmm ayer scdrasa diiri,

Makan scdrasa lilin,

Tidor tcdlena, mandi ta^basah.

To taste thorns in water,

To taste wax in food,

To take rest without sleep and to bathe without being
wetted.”

Describes the restless and uneasy condition of a man
whose mind is preoccupied with some plan or project which
he does not see how to put into execution. The first line
will be found in Klinkert’s collection and in Favre’s dic¬
tionary, sub voce but the meaning there given is

hardly satisfactory.

175. Jlusang terjim lantei terjongket,

“When the wild cat jumps dowui the Hooring laths (split
bamboo) stick up.”

The evil reputation of a criminal will cling about the
scene of his misdeeds long after he has disappeared.

MALAY PROVERBS.

159

176. Meiigivak-mengivah hagei Jiulong gojaJi,

Bellowing as if he had the snout of an elephant.”

An uncomplimentary simile used regarding a person who
breathes loud.

177. Mengmq') hagei orang omhait.

Gasping like a man at the point of death.’'

A Perak phrase used of a person to whom every movement
seems to be an exertion.

178. Masani hagei niJcaJi tcCsuka,

As cross as an unwilling bride.”

179. MelahuJulahiiJi hagei hiintal di-ting).

Swelling and swelling, like the huntal fish blown out.'’

180. Menclionga rupa Jierhaii jantan Jcemdian.

Staring right and left like a buffalo bull which walks
last of the herd.”

Said of a man in attendance upon Mohaniedan women
when they walk abroad.

181. Mengleting-leting hagei cJiacliing Impanasan^

Turning round and round, like a worm in the heat { of

the sun).”

Said of a person wandering about in an undefined and
purposeless manner. Pavre has {suh voce '‘^cJiacJiing^^) ‘^Seperti
cJiacliing kma ayer panas^^ like a worm touched by hot water,
which he explains to mean a person writting under misfor¬
tune. Mengleting (Perak) me-lenting, wriggling about.

182. Meriap-riap seperti Jcanglwng di olaJc jamhan.

“ Flourishing like the kangJiong beside a cess-pool.”

Said disparagingly of a person who seems to be doing well
in the world. ^^111 weeds grow apace.”

Kanglcong^ (nom dhine gjlante potagm'e, convoloulns rapjtav .^;
Favre,) is a very conimon and rather despised vegetable
which grows freely without cultivation.

160

3IALAY PKOYEKBS.

Rkqy, joyous^ mirthful, meaus also luxuriant as applied to
vegetation.

183. Minum chiika pcigi liari.

To drink vinegar in the morning.'’

Something that *• goes against the grain’’ e. g, polygamy,
from the point of view of the vrives. Malay women are
extremely jealous, and one of several wives of one husband
{peramjguan hermadu) will describe her lot by this phrase,

minum chuka^ etc.”

184. Jlengalis kain pagakjuga ka-cJceroki
Jlengalis cliakap dimata-mata salija.

To change a garment there is the trouble of going into
a corner, but to change words (break promises) is the sim¬
plest thing in the world.”

185. Men lag a hidult kasajj.

Hujung Idlang pangkal lesap.

If you trade in the rough bamboo, you lose the top and
the bottom disappears.”

To lose one’s capital besides forfeiting all the anticipated
profit, by a foolish investment.

Biduh kasap is a kind of bamboo, (also called hiduh telor
and huhdi telang), which is of no use for building purposes,
the wood being extremely thin and the bore large. The
Eawah Malays hoil id rice in lengths of it to give to their
friends on feast days, and the custom prevails also in some
parts of Perak.

Groldsmith’s ** gross of green spectacles” is just the kind
of transaction to which this proverb would apply.

186. Mcnahan jerat diteinpat gentiiig.

To set a snare in a narrow place.”

To take advantage of another's difficulties, e. g. to pur¬
chase (property for a quarter of its value) from a man in
distressed circumstances, (by tempting him Avith ready
money.)

187. Menidong kerhau ditangkap liarimau.

To go to the rescue of a buffalo A\4iich has been seized
by a tiger.”

:malay pt?overbr.

m

To make professions of assistance^ but ideally to take ad-
ventage of tlie misfortunes of the person in want of it,

Malays wlio follow np a tiger wbicli has carried off a
buffalo, cut the throat of the latter, if it is still alive, in
order to be able to eat the meat.

188. Jfanifi mnhdnia herchaJca?J,

Soperti mntan inanisan, didalamniya pahit hagei liam^
pedu.

The mouth speaks sweet things, like sweetmeats made
with cocoanut, but inside there is bitterness as of gall.”

Hypocrisy. ^‘Lingua susiirronis est pejor felle draconis,”

189. Meiiibuat haik fiada dipiiji,

Memhuat jahat tiada dikeji.

If he does well no one praises him,

If he does wrong no one despises him.”

Said of the condition of a slave in the household of a
Malay raja or chief.

190. Menyaladang hagei panas dipadang.

Stretching away like a plain lit up by the sun.”

An illustration of the even justice which should be the
measure of a man’s dealings with his neighbour. To run
over your neighbour’s rice field and to pick your way over
your own (say the Perak Malays) is like the unequal light in
a thicket, not like the broad blaze of sunlight in the plain,

(Ladang orang berJari-lari, ladang kita ber-jangkei-jangkei.)

Hot a bad illustration of the Christian maxim Do as you
would be done by.”

191. Xafsu-nafsi Baja dimata Sul fan dihati.

'•The desires are a raja in the ej^es and a Sultan in the
heart.”

Compare Ho. 10, Ikut hdi mafi, ihd rasa bmassa.''

192 . Handak via sa k I ci ? ig soiig h ; i ngv s .

Intending to cook food, to go and burn it.”

To spoil any undertaking bv excessive zeal.

162

MALAY PEOVEEBf^.

193. Hujan jatoll Icapcisir,

that falls on the sand.”

Clean thrown away, like favours bestowed on a man who
shews no appreciation of them.

194. Harap hafi liandak memeluh fjnnoncf^ apa daya ? tangaii
ted sampei.

The desire of the heart may be to grasp a monntain, but
what is the use ? the arm will not reach round it.”

Said of a person desirous of marrying above his or her
station.

195. Hangiis tiada herapi, karam tiada herayer.

Burnt without fire, foundered without water.”

A catastrophe, the cause of which is not apparent and for
which it is difficult to im23ute blame to any one.

196. Handak somhong herhiyii banial’, liandah megah herla-
IVan lebih.

To shew arrogance marry a number of wives, to attain
celebrity be forward in fighting.”

A maxim of Malay chiefs.

197. Hati gajali sama dilapah,

Ilati Icuman sama dicliechap.

Together Ave have sliced the heart of the elephant,

Together Ave have dipped the heart of the mite.”

To share good and eAul fortune, plenty and want, together*

Said of tried friends and comrades.

Chichip or cheehap is to dip e, g, food into gravy or sauce,
bread into sugar, huJam into sambal, etc. etc.

A nother common proverb coiweying a similar idea, namely
the readiness of sAvorn comrades to face together Avhatever
may befal them, is Changkat sama didaki, lurali sama ditu-
Tun:^ Together Ave climb the hill, together Ave descend
into the AMleAL